CONTENTS
Chapter1 English as a Lingua Franca ………………………1
Text A English as a Lingua Franca …………………………………2
Text B A Brief History of the English Language…………………6
Text C British English and American English……………………14
Supplementary Resources ………………………………………23
Chapter 2 The UK: A Country of Countries …………………25
Text A A Brief Introduction to the UK…………………………………26
Text B England and lts Cultural Heritages…………………………33
Text C Scotland:A Country on the Highlands ……………………44
Supplementary Resources ……………………………………50
Chapter 3 The US: A Country of Cultural Diversity ………53
Text A A Brief Introduction to the US …………………………………54
Text B Landmarks in the US…………………………………………60
Text C Mirrors of a Country: Cities in the Us ……………………73
Supplementary Resources …………………………………………82
Chapter 4 Great Events of the UK and the US: Legends in History ………………………………………………………85
Text A Ups and Downs of British History Before 1689………………86
Text B The Rise and Fall of the British Empire ………………………92
Text C Four Colonial Patterns Founded in the New World…………99
Supplementary Resources …………………………………105
Chapter 5 Political Systems in the UK and the US ………109
Text A The Political System in the UK……………………………110
Text B The Royal Family in the UK …………………………………117
Text C The Political System in the US………………………………123
Supplementary Resources ………………………………………129
Chapter 6 An Overview of Education in the UK and the US …133
Text A An Introduction to the Education Systems in the UK and the US ………………………………………………………134
Text B A Glimpse of Famous Universities in the UK and the US …141
Text C How to Apply to Universities Overseas …………………154
Supplementary Resources ………………………………………160
Chapter 7 Public Media in the UK and the US……………163
Text A Print Media: Newspapers and Magazines in the UK and the Us…………………………………………………………………164
Text B Broadcast Media: Radio and TV in the UK and the US …171
Text C Digital Media in the UK and the US…………………………179
Supplementary Resources ……………………………………………186
Chapter 8 A Culinary Adventure of the UK and the US …189
Text A Traditional Food in the UK ………………………………190
Text B An Introduction to the Tea Culture in the UK ……………195
Text C Facts About Fast Food in the US ……………………………201
Supplementary Resources ………………………………………206
Chapter 9 Arts in the UK and the US ……………………209
Text A Architectural Styles in the UK and the US…………………210
Text B Paintings in the UK and the US …………………………220
Text C Getting to Know About Pop Art in the UK and the US……228
Supplementary Resources………………………………………234
Chapter 10 Festivals and Holidays in the UK and the US…237
Text A Three Common Public Holidays in the UK and the US …238
Text B Memorable Days in the US ………………………………244
Text C Typical British Holidays: In Memory of the Saints ………251
Supplementary Resources………………………………………256